Expert Scrapbooker!

That's what they called me in the Royal Gazette a couple of weeks ago!

About 2 weeks ago, the Gazette ran an article on me in their Lifestyle section talking about my custom album business. I was thrilled for the free advertising, so many people have commented on the article, and I've already had several phone calls! I'm just thrilled!

Here's the article:

So busy...

Well, it's been pretty busy lately...

I finished up my Guest CT with A Cherry On Top in January, and served as a Guest CT for Katie the Scrapbook Lady (ACOT) during the month of February. I've also joined the CTs for FaithfullyYours.net, a Christian/faith-based scrapbooking website, and with KikiScraps (3Scrapateers.com).

Also, as a result of my joining at Faithfully Yours, Melissa Rose, whose CT I joined some time ago, is also selling there now!

I've been busy teaching a scrapbooking and papercrafting class at the Community School as well. Next week is the last of the 8-week course. It's been a fun class and I've had a great group of ladies in the class. They're all asking for me to teach a second-level course next!

I've also been invited to speak at several seniors groups about scrapbooking and preserving memories. I already spoke at one, and it was quite a blessing. The next one is next week. I also hope to garner some custom album work through these talks.

February saw our family travelling up to Burlington, MA for me to have treatment at Lahey. I had a lithotripsy treatment to break-down some kidney stones, but I ended up developing a blockage and had to have an emergency cystoscopy to open the ureter up with a stent. The stent will be removed in the next few weeks, once it's confirmed that all the stones are gone.

In February, we also said good-bye to our car. Two days before flying to Boston, DH was hit head-on by another driver who pulled into his lane after pulling out of a line of traffic. Fortunately, we've been blessed by some friends from church who are lending us there spare car - his sister recently passed, and he hadn't yet sold the car (in Bermuda, you're only allowed one car per household). DH has been busy looking at cars everywhere and is hoping to buy a 3 year old Suzuki Ignis tonite, Lord willing!

Church has also gotten quite busy. After only a short period of notice, we said farewell to our pastor and his wife, after 16 years of service. It was very hard to say good-bye. I was only 14 when they first came to Bermuda, and it was under their ministry that I went away to study ministry at University, was comissioned as a missionary to China through the church, married (he married us) and dedicated our two sons to the Lord's service. We had a special day to celebrate their service, including two services, a church pot-providence (pot-luck) and dessert fellowship. Thanks to several of our church photographers and some of the ladies in our church's scrapbooking ministry, we were able to compile a 44-page 12x12 scrapbook album, containing photos of them and various church ministries throughout the years, as well as 16-years of church history in the form of bullet points. We also added two pocket pages and created five autograph pages, which were put out during the fellowships for people to leave messages on.

Our pastor's wife was also given a lot of other photos, and so she approached me about doing another album - where to buy stuff, etc. So, as a farewell present, my husband and I purchased a second album, papers, cardstock and adhesives, so she can compile it.

As vice-chair of the deacon board, DH is quite busy as well. The deacons are all sharing the burden of preaching at our three weekly services - DH had the privalege to speak at the first service after our pastor had gone. His next sermon will be in a little over two weeks.

Well, that's all for now - there's still so much more to write, but I don't want to bore you!

So much...

It's a new year already and I've been terrible with keeping up my postings. So much has happened in the last couple of months.

Firstly, my designing is being put on the back-burner for now. Digi Scrap Yard had to close its doors and, with so much else going on right now, I've decided to hold-off on designing for a while. I'm sure I'll get back into it before long, but for now, I think this is best.

Secondly, I've been busy with several creative teams. Not long ago, I was asked to join Melissa Rose's team at Oscraps.com. Melissa is a very talented designer and a wonderful Christian woman, so that has been fun. Also, I was digital guest CT at ACherryOnTop.com for December-January. We hosted a crop during that time, so I handled a two-hour time-slot during the crop, running Bingo, doing a fast-scrap and handing out points. It was so much fun.

Also, I'll be joining two other CT's in the very near future - one as a regular position, and the other as a guest position for the month of February. So, be sure to check back soon to see where!

Thirdly, our church Scrapbook ministry is growing in leaps and bounds. Every month, we have more new faces, so I'm sure we're going to run out of room in the lower area where we've been meeting all this time, which means we'll have to move upstairs to the main hall. It'll mean a lot more work, but I'm so excited that we're growing so much!

Finally, well, I'm sure there's a lot more, but for now... I'll be teaching a Scrapbooking and Paper Crafting class at the Community Education Programme this quarter. It is an 8-week course that will run for two-hours every Wednesday night. You can contact me for more information, if you'd like!

Talk to ya soon!

Welcome Janell & Victoria!

I'm pleased to announce two more additions to my CT!

In addition to Brandie, Janell and Victoria have agreed to work their magic with my kits. I'm just thrilled!

Here's some samples of their work:

Here's Janell's "Eye of the Beholder," created with Asian Spirit - Japan.



Here's Victoria's "Japanese Tea House," also with Asian Spirit - Japan.



And here's one of Brandie's - "Trinity & Great Grandma" using Summer Blossoms.

Introducing Asian Spirit - Japan

The first in a line of paper packs, Asian Spirit - Japan, features 10 patterned papers and 8 cardstocks, all 12x12 at 300dpi. To compliment it, and future Asian Spirit paper packs, is the Asian Spirit - Elements pack, which has 9 frames and several different elements.

Both will be up in the shop soon and on sale for 25% off during their first two weeks!

So much more to say!

It's been a while since I've updated my blog, partly because of problems with Blogger, and partly because I've been so busy.

First, I'd like to welcome my very first CT member, Brandie Hurst!

Brandie is a talented young lady and I'm excited to be working with her!

Second, you should see a sampler kit for my Comic Book line coming out on Digi Scrap Yard VERY SOON! Also, those of you who download the sampler kit will get a coupon towards the purchase of both the paper and embellishment kits. The sampler kit is sort of a stars and stripes tribute to your favourite super hero!

Third, I'm almost finished with my latest digi kit, Asian Spirit. Inspired by the classical artwork of Japan and designed around a rich fall palate of gold, merlot, rust and cream, it should satisfy the hunger for those with a passion for the Far East.

Here's a sample of one of the papers...


Finally, I'm still on the lookout for a couple of more CT members. If you'd be interested in working with a new designer, who is still only creating one or two kits a month, please contact me at bermudascrapper@hotmail.com.

Details are below.

CT Call

With venturing into the digital design world, I've realized that I need my own creative team. As a result, I'm seeking 2-3 people to join my brand new CT.

Please send 3 samples of your work, as well as a link to your most complete gallery. I'd also like to find out:

1) Why do you scrap?
2) What are your favourite subjects to scrap?
3) Why is it important to you to record family memories?

Send your information to bermudascrapper@hotmail.com. Please save your samples to 72dpi at 500x500 pixels.

As a member of the CT, you will be required to complete at least one layout with each kit, to be posted at at least 4 different sites, including Digi Scrap Yard. This will probably work out to 3-4 layouts per month.

Deadline for the call is September 15.

More new stuff!

I've just uploaded a new embellishment kit to compliment my Comic Book paper pack and it should appear at DigiScrapYard.co.uk very soon!

So be sure to check it out!!!

More new stuff!

Coming very soon at Digi Scrap Yard, I have a new kit and a new alpha set.

First, Alpha Cards - perfect for school-themed layouts:


Second, is Summer Blossoms:

I'm hosting my first Chat!

Be sure to check in at the NDISB.com chatroom!

Unfortunately, I can't post the ad right now (Blogger's not cooperating), but here's the details...

Friday, September 8, 2006
9pm-11pm
www.NDISB.com

Fun chat, challenges and even some prizes!

So check us out!

New site, new kits...

Well, there's been a bit of a change up with the website I started selling digi kits at, and now I'm selling through a cool, new site: Digi Scrap Yard! Lots of great designers, lots of cool challenges. I'm thrilled that I can even join up!

My Bermuda Beaches kit is finally available and here's the preview:
[IMG]http://digiscrapyard.co.uk/store/images/swesthead_BermudaBeaches_preview.jpg[/IMG]

Also, I have two paper packs. Sara's Closet:
[IMG]http://digiscrapyard.co.uk/store/images/swewsthead-sarascloset-preview.jpg[/IMG]

And Comicbook:
[IMG]http://digiscrapyard.co.uk/store/images/swesthead_ComicBook_preview.jpg[/IMG]

Check out the site to get those and my other sets, Wildflowers, and the freebie, Denim Determination.

Starting a new life

Over and done with - I finished up a very long, boring last day at the newspaper with little broohaha. My co-worker coordinated a card and picture frame as a little sending off gift.

So now begins a new life - hustling for freelance work, digitally designing and scrapping.

It's a bit scary, knowing the challenge ahead, especially in terms of money, but I'm sure that this is the right thing to do for my family.

I did it...

I did it. I finally got up the guts and put in my resignation letter.

It wasn’t going to work. I think I knew that from the beginning. I didn’t fit in.

So, as of next Friday, I’m home with the boys again. They are actually still enrolled at school until the end of the month, even though they won’t actually be there the whole time. I think I might keep them in a few days past my last day, this way I can catch up on things around the house without worrying about them getting in the way or undoing things.

Laundry is the biggest of the pileups.

I’ve already contacted several local advertising agencies and they now have my name and number for future copy work. I’ve also contacted friends at other places for freelance writing jobs. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

While I can’t wait to be done, for some reason I don’t feel quite as worried about leaving. I know I’m doing it for the right reason – to be home with my boys – and that God is going to meet our needs through side-work in writing and scrapbooking.

Horrible day...

Today has been horrible... I had a car accident on my way to work this morning.

Fortunately, I had already dropped the boys off at daycare. I came down the road the school is on and stopped to look before turning onto the main road. It was clear, so I progressed, only for my tires to spin out on me and the car go into a skid (it had just rained). I tried to compensate (thanks to cars, I remembered how to compensate). I missed going head first into a wall. I put the front corner of the car into the side of a parked van.

The van has hardly any damage on it (although the quote - yes I already have a quote!) is for $885 (remember, this is Bermuda... $50 in parts, $835 in labour... figures). My car, on the other hand, crumpled. The front left fender is shot.

I'm alright, for the most part. Really badly shaken up and I'm starting to feel the pain in my back - Sucks having Fibromyalgia. It really doesn't like the sudden, swift movements of an uncontrollable car.

Fortunately, I am getting a small bonus at work - looks like it'll used up almost completely to fix the tiny dent and paint scratches on the other car, or for DH to fix our car. He's planning on doing it because it's an old car (1997 or 98) - I think he's hoping to find another old car like ours and "buy" the particular section...

At least the guy who owns/drives the van (it belongs to a business) has been pretty good (other than rushing to the auto shop...). Young guy (not too bad looking either) and you could see he didn't know what to do with a woman who was crying like a baby... He patted me on the shoulder...

I had two angels come to my rescue. One was a gentleman who looked at the car and said, "Look, don't worry - it's just a thing. Things can be fixed. You need to calm yourself down." The other was a woman who works in a nearby office. She brought me inside for water and Tylenol to wait until DH came and so I could sit and try and calm down...

I did manage to make it to work. And now I'm sitting here, in pain, wanting to just cry and wishing I had just gone home like DH suggested (he left work in a friends car to meet me). Of course, at least my boys weren't in the car. I can only imagine how terrified Tommy would have been because he normally sits in the front passenger seat (old car, no seatbelts - Tommy sits up front with the shoulder belt and we installed a lap belt in the back for the baby's seat. DH finally managed to find more belts for the back after a 2 year search and was half-way done installing them when he broke his wrist).

I'm so lame...

You’d think I’d toot my own horn, but I’ve been signed on as a designer for a new start-up digital shop, Scrapdragon Designs! I have two kits available on the site – one is a mini 8x8 freebie, called Denim Determination. The other is called Wildflowers. There is also a doodle kit called Love Notes.


Denim Determination is currently the #1 best seller on the site (probably because it’s free!), but Wild flowers is also doing well.

So, be sure to check it out! There’s a link on the side of the page…

Why does this feel so… well… weird?

I’m a mom and my children go to school. Okay, they go to daycare, but, I still have to remain in communication with their teachers, letting them know when they are sick, if we have to leave early for something, how and when to administer medicine.

Most of the time, I am able to do this verbally, in person or on the phone. I can handle that. What feels really strange is writing notes to the teacher.

You’re probably saying, “Why? You’re a writer – letter writing should come easy!”

It does – I can blend pretty posies of prose when I want to – but there is something about writing:

“Dear Miss ~. Jonathan is teething. To help ease him through the process, please administer 1ml of Tylenol at 11am and 3pm. SIGNED Mrs. Sara Westhead”

It’s so lacking in creativity; so pedestrian. Plus, it feels just plain weird to be writing notes to the teacher!

I guess I better get used to it. My oldest is only JUST starting is educational career, so I still have YEARS of boring note writing ahead… Or maybe he’ll just learn to write his own notes early…

Cuteness Factor

We had a big, busy, long weekend this past weekend.

Central to the whole weekend was my oldest’s 4th birthday. The celebrations began on Friday when he brought ice cream sandwiches and a piñata to school. On Saturday, I took him and his two best buds to see the movie “Cars,” which was excellent, by the way.

Sunday was his actual birthday. Other than church and a last chance to get ready for his party, we had nothing planned except him opening his presents from us, which he loved, particularly the Mr. Incredible suit.

Monday was the big day. Fortunately, it was Queen’s Birthday holiday here, so I took advantage of having the long weekend as an extra day to get ready for the party – a Pirate spectacular.

As the kids arrived, they were fitted with bandanas and given an inflatable snake-sword and sent outside to splash in the wading pool until everyone arrived. Our activities included decorating their own treasure chests, which doubled as their party bag, pin-the-pirate-on-the-X, a water balloon toss, a treasure hunt for “gold dubloons,” and a peg-legged pirate piñata. We opened presents and enjoyed a yummy cake from the bakery.

By the end of the day, the kids had a ball. We had enough activities to keep them going all afternoon without getting bored and everyone thought it was a wonderful time. In fact, most of the other moms now want me to do their kid’s parties…

Of course, the baby, it seems, didn’t want to be out done and competed with his brother for cuteness factor. On the oldest’s birthday, the baby decided to achieve THREE firsts in one day. He cut his first tooth. He discovered the word “Da-da.” And he stood up in his crib for the first time.

I asked my 4 year old how he felt about Jonathan trying to “out cute” him on his birthday. He turned around and said, “But mom, he IS cute!” ‘Nuff said…

Really cool kit

Hi all!

This really cool kit will be available shortly through the Natural Designs in Scrapbooking June ND*ezine. Be sure to visit their website to sign up!

Designing on my mind...

I haven’t scrapped a lick this weekend, although I got awfully close. I plotted and planned to my hearts content but I haven’t actually created a page.

And I really need to get cracking… Why?

I only have a couple of weeks to complete my pages for the Memory Makers Masters contest, get colour copies and get them mailed out to wherever they need to go for the July deadline. On top of that, the KI Memories deadline is looming as well. Not to mention the one-off page contests for ACOT and beginning my CT duties at NDISB.

This is what I DID get done this weekend though – I know exactly what my pages should look like for the MMM and KI contests. I’ve sketched them out, now I just have to find the right photos for them.

Also, I continued working on my very first digi kit, “Wildflowers,” and started working on another new kit “Bermuda Blue.” As soon as Scrapdragon Designs is up and running, they should be ready for sale. I’ll try and post a teaser, at least for “Wildflowers,” later…

Totally Chuffed: My Big News!

It feels like I’ve made it, or something… A few months ago, I would never have guessed that I’d be where I am now.

I’ve been scrapbooking for years, back when it was just a little hobby, long before it became the national pastime of women everywhere. I’ve always been drawn to paper – in stationery stores, card stores, craft stores – so it’s easy to explain what is now an obsession for me. But, it was still a ‘back-burner’ thing for me – something I wanted to do, but never had time for. That is, until I rediscovered one of my favourite scrapbooking websites – A Cherry On Top.

I had been shopping there for a couple of years, but I finally started getting involved with their message board around Christmas last year. Before very long, I discovered something very new to me, new, but equally enticing as paper – digital scrapbooking.

I did my very first layout in January and posted it to the gallery. I started trying my hand at it more and more. I scoured the internet for every free kit I could find and downloaded every one that I remotely liked. Then, ACOT started selling digital kits… WARNING WILL ROBINSON… DANGER… DANGER…

I played with it. I carefully studied other people’s layouts. I asked questions and looked for tutorials on how to do things on the computer that you would think could only be done with paper.

And now, I’m feeling pretty chuffed about my abilities. I was just asked to join the creative team of digital design company. I can’t wait – this is so exciting.

My dad’s response to the news was: “Who'd a thunk somebody could ever possibly become a "profeshunul" crapbooker! Gaah-lee!”

So, am I a “profeshunul”?? I don’t know, but this is going to be so much fun!